Understanding Behaviour and How Support Can Make a Difference
Everyone communicates their needs, emotions, and experiences in different ways. For some individuals, including those with disabilities, challenging behaviours can arise when they struggle to express themselves or navigate their environment. This is where positive behaviour support (PBS) plays a crucial role in helping individuals, families, and carers create positive and sustainable strategies to improve quality of life.
At Therapy Pro, our behaviour support services focus on understanding the underlying reasons for behaviours and providing evidence-based strategies that support individuals to live more independently, safely, and confidently.
What is behaviour support?
Behaviour support is an approach designed to help individuals who display challenging behaviours. Rather than simply managing behaviours, this approach focuses on understanding why they occur and addressing the root causes. A PBS practitioner works closely with the individual, their family, and support team to create personalised strategies that encourage more positive interactions and engagement.
Key elements of behaviour support include:
- Understanding triggers and patterns – Identifying the environmental, emotional, or sensory factors that contribute to behaviours.
- Developing alternative communication methods – Helping individuals express their needs in healthier ways or by recognising their existing unique communication methods.
- Creating structured routines and supports – Establishing strategies that provide predictability and comfort.
- Collaborating with families and carers – Ensuring that all support systems work together for consistency and success. This includes across all environments that are important to the individual.
- Reducing or preventing restrictive practices – Promoting independence and dignity by focusing on proactive, person-centred approaches.
Who can benefit from PBS?
Behaviour support is beneficial for individuals of all ages, particularly those who experience challenges related to:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Intellectual disability
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Anxiety and emotional regulation issues
- Trauma-related behaviours
- Communication barriers
Support is tailored to each individual, ensuring that strategies align with their needs, strengths, and goals and are sustainable for the individual’s support network to implement.
How PBS makes a difference
The ultimate goal of PBS is to empower individuals by enhancing their ability to participate in daily activities, social interactions, and community life. It’s about shifting the focus from managing behaviours to promoting meaningful and sustainable changes that improve wellbeing.
For NDIS participants, behaviour support can be included in their plan, helping them work towards greater independence, improved relationships, and a better quality of life. Therapy Pro’s experienced practitioners provide mobile services, working within home, school, or community settings to ensure support is accessible and effective.
If you’re interested in finding out about PBS in schools, this article may be insightful: What is Positive Behaviour Support in Schools?
Accessing behaviour support services
If you or someone you support is experiencing challenging behaviours, working with a PBS practitioner can provide valuable guidance and long-term solutions. Here at Therapy Pro we offer flexible, mobile-based services across Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne to help individuals and families navigate challenges with confidence.
For more information on PBS or to find out if we have a practitioner with availability in your location, complete the form below and our team will be in touch within 1 business day:
About the author
Danielle Forrest is Therapy Pro’s National Head of Positive Behaviour Support and Head of Social Work, and is an advanced Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner and Senior Social Worker. She is passionate about fostering healthy emotional and social development in early childhood.
Holding a bachelor’s degree and multiple TAFE courses, Danielle has spent over 20 years working closely with children, parents, educators, and adults and their support network to promote positive behaviour and create supportive environments for learning and growth.
She believes in the power of understanding, empathy, and informed support to make a positive difference in the lives of young children, adults, their families and their network.
